Guardians’ angel.
Jose Ramirez has racked up a laundry list of highlight-reel plays over the course of his 10-year tenure with Cleveland as one of baseball’s five-tool players.
His latest one was perhaps his most daring. Locked in a tie against the Royals in extra innings, Ramirez ventured from the third-base bag. Then, with the swiftness of a Shane Bieber fastball, he scampered down the line. As he barreled toward home plate — and the armored structure that was Salvador Perez protecting it — Ramirez somehow slipped through and pulled off one of baseball’s rarest feats.
Here’s what you need to know.
MORE: How Yankees’ Isiah Kiner-Falefa stole home vs. Mets
Jose Ramirez steals home
Ramirez is one of the game’s greatest talents. He put that on display Thursday as he took off from third base like a sprinter coming out of the blocks. As he made his way to the plate, it seemed Perez had things under control.
But Ramirez opted for a sprawling dive. And that was enough to get past Perez’s outstretched grasp.
There is nothing José Ramírez can’t do.
This slide is just…#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/xmvQrQ4e2c
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) June 29, 2023
J-Ram was initially ruled out, but replay review saved him; video from the camera above home plate showed that Ramirez had clandestinely flicked his hand onto the plate before Perez could get a tag in.
Despite Ramirez’s successful swipe, it was the Royals who ended the day on top. Kansas City rallied in the bottom half of the inning to win 4-3.
Last time a player stole home in MLB
Stealing home isn’t for the faint of heart and it doesn’t occur often, yet it has now happened multiple times this year.
Yankees utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa was the last player to execute the move, doing it against the Mets on June 15. It wasn’t quite as dramatic as Ramirez’s dash, but the attempt was successful all the same.
Last Guardians player to steal home
Ramirez became the first Cleveland player to complete a straight swipe of home since Leonys Martin accomplished the feat in 2019. Other Clevelanders to earn such distinction include Grady Sizemore and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson.
